Kansas City Men's Soccer Announces 2026 Signing Class
7/15/2026 11:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The Roos bring a mix of top-tier domestic and international talent to an already loaded roster
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Men's Soccer enters the 2026 season with the return of a solid core from last year's NCAA Tournament Second Round team and will add nine new faces to the mix as the Roos look to maintain their spot as one of the nation's best. Among the group, eight will be playing their first year of soccer at the collegiate level and seven are true freshmen. Five of the newbies come from the international scene, three enter from the Kansas City metro and the final deepens KC's recruiting ties in Texas.
"We're excited about this recruiting class and believe they have the talent and mentality to compete for playing time right away," Head Coach and three-time Summit League Coach of the Year Ryan Pore said. "They are joining a top-25 program that shares their goals and ambitions of competing at the highest level and continuing to win championships. We're confident that this group has the quality, character and competitive mindset to make an immediate impact while helping us build on the success we've established."
Originally from Evanston, Ill., Makhi Francis enters as a freshman in 2026. The midfielder joined the Sporting KC Academy in 2024, signing an MLS Next contract in 2025. He played one year at Evanston Township HS and spent time with JaHbat FC.
"I wanted to play with Kansas City because it is a great soccer program and a good environment for myself," Francis said.
Elouan Labadie-Vincent comes to Kansas City by way of Vire, France. The 5'10 midfielder played while attending Lycée Émile Littré in Avranches, where his squad was named the 2023 French High School Excellence Champions. Additionally, he spent time playing with US Avranches, winning back-to-back Reserve Team Cup Championships and scoring nine goals in 2025-26.
"I chose to play at Kansas City because it is a great opportunity to continue my soccer career while receiving a high-quality education," Labadie-Vincent said. "I was attracted by the level of the program, the coaching staff and the chance to grow both as a player and a person."
The lone goalkeeper joining the Roos' roster in 2026, Brendan Mikuliza comes to KC from Blue Valley North HS. A native of Orlando, Fla., he most recently played with Sporting KC II.
"I've enjoyed watching the program grow to what it is today and I'm excited to help push it even farther," Mikuliza said.
The lone Division I transfer of the group, Brice Miller joins the Roos following a freshman campaign at Seattle U. The 5'8 forward appeared in 11 games for the Redhawks in 2025, making four starts on the season. He scored one goal on the year, netting the game-winner against San Francisco on Nov. 14. Originally from Frisco, Texas, Miller played in the academy system for Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers.Â
"I chose to play at Kansas City because I think this is a place where I can learn and improve my game. I like the style of play and the care that the coaches have for the team," Miller said.
A number nine from Toulouse, France, Pablo Morato joins Kansas City in 2026. Morato comes to KC after most recently playing with the US Colomiers U19 side.
"Kansas City is an amazing project with a great team and a beautiful city," Morato said.
Alessandro Patelli comes to Kansas City by way of Grumello del Monte, Italy. The midfielder recently played for UC AlbinoLeffe U19, also spending time in the Inter Milan system and serving as team captain for CSD Uesse Sarnico U15.
"It is an honor for me to be part of the Kansas City soccer program," Patelli said. "I believe my physical presence, work rate and tactical understanding allow me to contribute immediately and grow within the system. I am very excited about the athletic and academic environment at UMKC."
Jonas Rossdorfer enters his collegiate career by way of Schärding, Austria, where he was a student at Johannes Kepler University in Linz. The defender most recently played for ASKÖ Oedt.
"I want to push myself in a challenging D1 program, and Kansas City offers exactly that," Rossdorfer said. "The connection with the coaching staff was great right from the start, and KC is an incredible place to live and study that offers the perfect balance of high-level soccer and great academics."
Juan Pablo Salgado Canepa is a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, coming to Kansas City as a defender. He played with Instituto River Plate, serving one season as a team captain and winning a league championship in 2022.
"I chose to play at Kansas City because it provides a solid level of soccer and training," Salgado Canepa said.
Carter Santa brings a decorated prep career to the Roos. The Shawnee Mission East grad was a team captain in 2026, also earning KSHSAA 6A Defender of the Year, First Team All-State and team MVP honors. He scored eight goals with three assists in 19 games this season, aiding his team to 10 clean sheets on the year. Santa played at the club level with Kansas City Athletics and Sunflower State FC, earning ECNL U17 All-American status.
"I love the environment and the attitude I see within the Kansas City program and I see us having success and growing a brotherhood," Santa said.
